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***1/2 Alice in Chains

LIVE

(Columbia)

The Alice in Chains legend has only grown since the grunge relics placed themselves on the inactive list some five years back, and their label has been frantically emptying the vaults ever since. First there was an MTV Unplugged set, then the rarities-laced Music Bank box. And now there’s this, the group’s first full-on electric live album. Of the three, Live may actually be AIC’s greatest gift to their fans, since the reclusive rock-radio gods never once launched a full-scale headlining arena tour.

Arranged in rough chronological order, the disc ignores the band’s folksy side in favor of steamy club jams and a couple of larger-venue performances that are as menacing as they are rare. For a shut-in, singer Layne Staley takes surprisingly well to his role as master of ceremonies — he gleefully baits the crowd on the early thrash comedy “Queen of the Rodeo” and giggles his way through a drunken monologue that precedes “Dirt.” His sickening wail stretches a lot farther here than it does on the group’s acoustic hits, just as guitarist Jerry Cantrell’s old-school metal influences are easier to spot in concert than on record. The playlist is impeccable, reaching back to the Sab-simple “Man in the Box” and forward to the doomy “God Am” and covering most of the band’s landmark ‘92 disc, Dirt. AIC may or may not ever mount an arena comeback tour, but this is the next best thing.

— Sean Richardson